Echeveria plant named &#39;RUBY KISSED&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct  Echeveria  cultivar named ‘Ruby Kissed’ is disclosed, characterized by chunky green-greyed-green foliage forming dense rosettes. Plants are compact and produce offsets prolifically, useful for many pot sizes. The new variety is an  Echeveria , part of the Crassulaceae complex that includes  Pachyphytum, Graptopetalum, Sedum, Crassula  and others.  Echeveria  is a popular genus, typically produced as container plants or landscape plants. Currently, there is a growing use of  Echeveria  for artistic creations such as wedding bouquets, table centerpieces and other ornamental uses for social occasions.

Latin name of the genus and species: Echeveria hybrida.

Variety denomination: ‘RUBY KISSED’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The new Echeveria cultivar is the product of a planned breeding program. The new variety originated from a cross pollination of the proprietary, unpatented, seed parent, Echeveria ‘Cris’ with the pollen parent, an unpatented, proprietary variety of Echeveria referred to as Maz 01’. The crossing was made during March of 2012 at a commercial greenhouse in Vista, Calif.

‘Ruby Kissed’ was discovered by the inventor, Renee O'Connell, in August 2013, in Vista, Calif. at a commercial greenhouse in Vista, Calif.

Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar ‘Ruby Kissed’ was first performed in Vista, Calif., at a commercial greenhouse by vegetative cuttings in September 2013. ‘Ruby Kissed’ has since produced multiple generations and has shown that the unique features of this cultivar are stable and reproduced true to type.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The cultivar ‘RUBY KISSED’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat with variations in environment such as temperature, day length, and light intensity, without, however, any variance in genotype.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be the unique characteristics of ‘RUBY KISSED’. These characteristics in combination distinguish ‘RUBY KISSED’ as a new and distinct Echeveria cultivar:

-   -   1. Dense rosettes of chunky green/greyed-green leaves.     -   2. Foliage apex colored greyed-purple in high light conditions.     -   3. Chunky and compact morphology filling a 9 cm pot with a         single cutting.     -   4. Prolifically produces offsets, forming multiple-headed         cluster that are aesthetically pleasing.     -   5. Versatility of use, due to prolific offsetting, useful for         small pot sizes as well as pot sizes more than 8 inches in         diameter.     -   6. Coloration and plant shape useful for mixed succulent         groupings.

PARENTAL COMPARISON

Plants of the new cultivar ‘RUBY KISSED’ are similar to plants of the seed parent, in most horticultural characteristics, however, plants of the new cultivar ‘RUBY KISSED’ differ in the following;

-   -   1. ‘Ruby Kissed’ forms blue-green rosettes, tipped with         greyed-purple, whereas Echeveria ‘Cris’, while similar in         overall rosette color, does not exhibit the dark tipped leaves         of Echeveria ‘Ruby Kissed’.     -   2. Echeveria ‘Ruby Kissed’ forms larger rosettes than does         Echeveria ‘Cris’, decreasing production time when planted in a         larger pot, such as an 8″ bulb pan.     -   3. Echeveria ‘Cris’ is suitable for 2.5 inch and 9 cm pot sizes.         Echeveria ‘Ruby Kissed’ can also be used in 2.5″ and 9 cm pot         sizes, and additionally can be used in quart, 5″, 6″ and 8″         pots. The seed parent is far less prolific in producing         plantlets from leaf cuttings and does not fill larger pots as         easily.

Plants of the new cultivar ‘RUBY KISSED’ are similar to plants of the pollen parent, in most horticultural characteristics, however, plants of the new cultivar ‘RUBY KISSED’ differ in the following;

-   -   1. The new variety is more prolifically producing offsets than         the pollen parent.     -   2. Freely offsets, enhancing production and creating an         attractive cluster, whereas the pollen parent offsets only         occasionally.     -   3. ‘Ruby Kissed’ forms blue-green rosettes, tipped with         greyed-purple, whereas the pollen parent, produces blue colored         rosettes.

COMMERCIAL COMPARISON

Plants of the new cultivar ‘RUBY KISSED’ are comparable to the unpatented, commercial variety Echeveria minima. The two varieties are similar in most horticultural characteristics; however, the new variety ‘RUBY KISSED’ differs in the following:

-   -   1. ‘Ruby Kissed’ produces offsets much more prolifically than         this comparator.     -   2. Foliage color of the new variety is green-blue, foliage color         of this comparator is blue.     -   3. The new variety grows much faster than plants of this         comparator, produces a commercial product much faster.     -   4. Plants of the new variety produce larger rosettes than plants         of this comparator, allowing for production in large pot sizes.

Plants of the new cultivar ‘RUBY KISSED’ can also be comparable to the unpatented commercial variety Echeveria ‘Azulita’. The two Echeveria varieties are similar in most horticultural characteristics; however, the new variety ‘RUBY KISSED’ differs in the following:

-   -   1. Foliage color of the new variety is green-blue, foliage color         of this comparator is icy blue.     -   2. ‘Ruby Kissed’ produces offsets much more prolifically than         this comparator.     -   3. The new variety grows much faster than plants of this         comparator, produces a commercial product much faster.     -   4. Plants of the new variety produce larger rosettes than plants         of this comparator, allowing for production in large pot sizes.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPH

The accompanying photograph in illustrates in full color a freely offsetting plant of Echeveria ‘Ruby Kissed’, grown in a greenhouse in Vista, Calif. The photographs were taken using conventional techniques and although colors may appear different from actual colors due to light reflectance it is as accurate as possible by conventional photographic techniques.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

In the following description, color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart, 2007 except where general terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used. The following observations and measurements describe ‘Autumn Flame’ plants in a commercial greenhouse in Vista, Calif. Temperatures ranged from approximately 10° C. to 38° C. night and day. No artificial light, photoperiodic treatments or chemical treatments were given to the plants. Natural light conditions were approximately 2500 to 4000 fc of light. Measurements and numerical values represent averages of typical plant types.

-   Botanical classification: Echeveria hybrida ‘RUBY KISSED’. -   Propagation:     -   -   Type of propagation typically used.—Terminal vegetative             divisions, offsets.         -   Time to initiate roots.—About 14 days at approximately 22°             C.         -   Root description.—Fibrous, brown, not accurately measured             with a color chart. -   Plant:     -   -   Age of plant described.—Approximately 4 months from cutting.         -   Container size of the plant described.—8 inch.         -   Growth habit.—Densely rosulate, mounding.         -   Height.—Approximately 9.0 cm to top of highest leaf.             Approximately 35 cm to top of highest inflorescence.         -   Plant spread.—22 cm.         -   Growth rate.—Moderately fast.         -   Branching characteristics.—Freely offsetting. Approximately             8 to 12 offsets on a plant of this size and age. -   Foliage:     -   -   Leaf.—Arrangement: Rosulate. Average length: Approximately             3.0 cm. Average width: Approximately 1.3 cm. Width at base:             0.8 cm. Average depth: Approximately 4 to 6 mm. Shape of             blade: Spatulate, with overall apical shape somewhat angular             and sloping. Apex: Mucronate. Base: Cuneate. Margin:             Rounded. Texture of top surface: Glabrous, glaucous. Texture             of bottom surface: Glabrous, glaucous. Quantity of leaves             per rosette: Approximate range of 80 to 120. Color: Young             foliage upper side: Near RHS Green 136C, base near             Greyed-Green 192D. Young foliage, under side: Near RHS             Greyed-Green 191B, base near White 155A. Mature foliage,             upper side: Near RHS Green 137B, covered in a glaucous layer             near Greyed-Green 188C. Base near Yellow-Green 144D, with             glaucous layer 188C. Apex, on mucronation Greyed-Purple             187B. Mature foliage, under side: Near RHS Green 138C, very             light glaucous layer near 188D. Base Green 138D. Apex, on             mucronation Greyed-Purple 187B. Venation: There is no visual             appearance of venation. -   Flower:     -   -   Natural flowering season.—Spring, Summer, irregularly.         -   Inflorescence type and habit.—Lateral, bifurcate.         -   Rate of flower opening.—1 to 3 flowers open every 5 to 7             days, depending upon ambient conditions.         -   Flower longevity on plant.—2-3 days, depending upon ambient             conditions.         -   Quantity of flowers.—20 to 40. Total Inflorescence size:             Height: Approximately 35 cm. Width: Approximately 6.9 cm.             Corolla: Arrangement: 5-merous, the outer petals spreading             to recurved. Size: Length: Approximately 1.1 cm. Width:             Approximately 0.5 cm at widest point. Lobe Length:             Approximately 2.1 mm. Lobe width: Approximately 3 mm.             Margin: Entire. Shape: Narrow deltate. Apex: Acute. Base:             Fused, approximately 90% of length. Texture: Glabrous. Petal             Color: When opening: Petal color, outer surface: Near RHS             Orange 32A, apex Yellow-Orange 16B. Petal color, interior:             Not visible until flower matures. Petal Color: Fully opened:             Outer surface: Near RHS Orange-Red 33B, heavily streaked             16C. Inner surface: Near RHS 16C, flushed 33B.         -   Color changes when aging.—Outer surface darkens to 34A,             interior remains 16C. Bud: (near opening): Shape: Conical.             Length: Approximately 0.9 cm. Diameter: Approximately             0.4 cm. Color: Near RHS Orange-Red 34C. Sepals: Length of             sepal: Approximately 0.6 cm long. Width of sepal:             Approximately 0.2 cm at widest point. Color outer surface:             Near RHS Green 138B. Color inner surface: Near RHS Green             138A. Peduncle: Length: Average range 20 to 30 cm. Width:             Approximately 0.6 cm. Strength: Weak, floppy to moderately             strong. Texture: Glabrous. Color: Near RHS Greyed-Red 185C,             irregular glaucous covering near Greyed-Purple N187D.             Pedicels: Length: Approximately 0.4 to 0.6 cm. Width:             Approximately 0.2 cm. Aspect: Straight. Strength: Moderately             strong. Color: Near RHS Orange-Red 34D. Fragrance: None             detected. -   Reproductive organs:     -   -   Stamens.—(Androecium). Number: Average 10. Filament Length:             Approximately 0.5 cm. Filament Color: Near RHS White N155C.             Anther length: 0.1 cm. Anther Color: Near RHS Yellow 12C.             Anther Shape: Oblong. Pollen Color: Near RHS Yellow 12D.             Pollen quantity: Scant.         -   Pistil.—(Gymnoecium). Number: Average 5. Length:             Approximately 0.9 cm. Style Color: Near Green-Yellow 1B.             Style length: Approximately 0.4 cm. Stigma: Shape: Linear.             Color: Near Yellow-Green 144C. Ovary Color: Near RHS             Yellow-Orange 14D. -   Other characteristics:     -   -   Fruits and seeds.—Typical to Genus. Minute, less than 1 mm             dry seeds. Colored between black and brown, too small to             accurately measure with color chart.         -   Temperature tolerance.—Tolerates temperatures from             approximately −2° C. to at least 35° C.         -   Disease/pest resistance.—More resistance to the pathogen             known as Fusarium, a typical disease of Echeveria, has been             observed. Neither resistance nor susceptibility to normal             pests of Echeveria, which include thrips and aphid.         -   Drought tolerance.—Tolerates at least 3 weeks of high             temperatures without supplemental water, showing no serious             damage to plant. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of Echeveria plant named ‘RUBY KISSED’ as herein illustrated and described. 